Bardhan demands ban on forward trading in foodgrains

Chandigarh, Feb1: Expressing concern for the poor over the unprecedented price hike of essential commodities, Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary AB Bardhan today demanded a complete ban on forward trading in foodgrains.

Talking to media persons here, Mr Bardhan said,''Forward trading in foodgrains should be banned completely as it is responsible for hoarding and ultimately price rise.'' Mr Bardhan, who was here to take part in the Punjab assembly elections to be held on February 13, said the CPI is contesting on 47 seats in alliance with CPM and Lok Bhallai Party in Punjab.

Opposing Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) alliance in the state, he said that CPI and its alliance partners would work against the communal forces as Punjab deserve secular combination and not communal.

He said his party would oppose Congress as well in the state as the Congress in the last assembly elections did not honour the alliance and also worked against the polices of the party.

''The farmers in the state are continuously struggling against the acquisition of their land by industrialists,''he said, adding that his party would oppose tooth and nail the policies of the Congress governement of acquiring farmers' land for setting up mega projects.

About the manifesto of the party, he said it would be released in a few days. All the three parties would release individual manifesto, he clarified.

UNI